Queensland Health says there will be an independent investigation into how a nurse with coronavirus continued to work at a Rockhampton aged care home, while showing symptoms as the Chief Health Officer reveals it is not clear how the nurse contracted the virus.

A team of Canadian engineers is working around the clock at a private helipad in the Sunshine Coast hinterland to assemble a Bell 214 waterbomber ahead of what is expected to be worsening fire conditions over summer.

While the impacts of drugs like ice are well documented, the rising addiction to prescription painkillers is a deepening crisis in regional areas, where dealers are making big bucks on high-strength opioid trades made through bedroom windows.